Darrell Hammond — Saturday Night Live's longest-serving former cast member— is making his way back to 30 Rockefeller Plaza for the show's upcoming season: but don't look for him in the sketches.
He'll be stepping into the role of announcer, vacated by Don Pardo who passed last month, after nearly 40 years as the show's announcer.
On top of holding the record for most seasons in the cast — 14 in all — Hammond also holds the record for most times saying this famous line: (Video via NBC / 'Saturday Night Live')
DARRELL HAMMOND, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!"
And he held the record for most impressions — a whopping 107 — until last year when he was beaten out by Kenan Thompson.
Hammond told USA Today he even did impressions of Pardo, filling in for the veteran announcer when he was suffering from laryngitis. Hammond told the outlet, "He was a lovely person. When he passed, they wanted me; it felt right for me to be the one to replace him."
His most famous impressions included Sean Connery, in the classic "Celebrity Jeopardy" sketch, and President Bill Clinton, which he even got to perform for Clinton himself. (Video via C-SPAN)
DARRELL HAMMOND, VIA C-SPAN: "Mr. President, have a seat."
But Hammond struggled at times during his 14 years with the show, as he suffered from the effects of an abusive childhood.
DARRELL HAMMOND, VIA CNN: "There was cutting backstage, I was once taken to a psych ward ... I was taken away in a straightjacket."
Hammond has spent much of his time since leaving the show talking about his own history with addiction and abuse, suffered at the hands of his mother. (Video via CBS / 'Dr. Phil')
Hammond's forgiveness of his mother helped him write his autobiography. Book reviewers have called it fascinating, powerful and yet a book that still makes the reader laugh.
Hammond has also worked doing stand-up since leaving the show. He will make his debut on September 27, when the show returns for its 40th season.
This video includes images from Getty Images.
